HCV and HBV infections in Nigerian Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Although efforts have been made to determine the significant of Hepatitis b virus (HBV) infection in Nigerians with chronic liver disease, the role of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has not been fully elucidated. The present study is aimed at determining the incidence of HCV and HBV infections in Nigerian patients with Liver Cirrhosis (LC) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of HBV and antibodies to HVC was determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assey (ELISA) in 24 Nigerians with histologically confirmed Liver Cirrhosis (n=10) and Hepatocullular carcinoma (n=14), as well as healthy adult Nigerians who served as controls (n=14) at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Incidence rates of 50%, 71% and 40% of HBsAG were obtained in patients with LC, HCC and controls respectively while 20%, 14% and 20% were Anti HCV positive in the respective groups (P<0.0005 for HCC). Co-infection by HBV and HCV was found in one patient with HCC. Infection by HCV occurred in older age group (57.5±8years) than HBV infection (47.8 ± 4 years, P< 0.01) while both infections were commoner than that of HCV in patients with HCC. However, both HBV and HCV might be contributory to the aetiology of LC and HCC. Efforts should be intensified at reducing the high prevalence of HBV infection as well as that of HCV in Nigerians by insituting active preventive measures.



NQJHM Vol. 14 (3&4) 2004: pp. 233-235